The Puebla International Festival has announced the withdrawal of South African guests following the recent drama surrounding Chidimma Adetshina.
The drama began when Chidimma a former contestant in the Miss South Africa competition faced intense backlash from South Africans due to her non-South African parentage.
After an investigation by the Department of Home Affairs into her citizenship verification, which was requested by the pageant organizers. DHA Minister Leon Schreiber revealed that an innocent South African mother’s identity was stolen in connection with the alleged fraud involving Chidimma’s mother.
The public uproar, which dominated discussions on X (formerly Twitter) led Chidimma to withdraw from the pageant.
Taking to X, the festival posted an official press release stating,” We regret to announce the revocation of South Africa’s designation as the Country-in-Focus for this year’s festival, and the withdrawal of the invitation of our South African guests following the victimization of Chidimma Adetshina, her family, & members of immigrant communities in South Africa, thus undermining the very principles of justice, equality, and human dignity that literature seeks to uphold.”
The organisation added, “We cannot, in good conscience, honour a country as a focal point of our celebration when it is embroiled in such profound injustice as has been currently gathering momentum following the Miss South Africa beauty pageantry.”
We regret to announce the revocation of South Africa’s designation as the Country-in-Focus for this year’s festival, and the withdrawal of the invitation of our South African guests following the victimization of Chidimma Adetshina, her family, & members of immigrant communities. pic.twitter.com/JbX8VpZ24E
— Puebla Int’l Literature Festival (@PueblaLitFest) August 8, 2024
However, the festival’s move has sparked a flurry of mixed reactions online. Some users have criticised the decision, questioning whether the festival promotes “lawlessness” over literature, with one user noting.
So the so called, Puebla International Literature Festival, no longer promote literature but lawlessness, what about the victim whose identity was stolen? South Africans will always speak out against impunity and lawlessness without fear.
— Chuma Mapokgole (@Chumaj) August 10, 2024
Others have expressed concerns about the impact on the Nigerian community, with one stating.
Now this is gonna be even bigger than the dam festival u affecting legal hard working Nigerians.Mexico will not choose Nigeria over BRICS Countries.
— busi (@busi19293372) August 9, 2024
In addition, one user pointed out.
Don’t regret, we appreciate the exclusion. We really don’t want to be associated with nonsense. Does Mexico knows some Ikenna Okeh Director of some small literature festival is messing with their country name?
— BRICS ?????????? (@IAMBECAUSEYOUAR) August 8, 2024
Also see: Miss SA 2024: Tyla’s comment on controversial Chidimma Adetshina sparks backlash
